Donaldson completed his first 18 in 67 to sit one behind Sergio Garcia - but while the Spaniard dropped off in the second round with a dismal 73, Welshman Donaldson went from strength-to-strength to reach 11-under and lead Ryan Moore by three.

The 38-year-old Donaldson carded birdies at one, two, four, eight and nine to reach the turn in just 31 shots. A bogey at 10 followed after he needed two shots to get out of a bunker, but he made amends with further gains at 13 and 14 to move ahead of the pack.

Moore completed an opening-round 71 before carding a best-of-the-day 65 to move to 8-under and second place, where he is joined by FedEx Cup and Race to Dubai champion Henrik Stenson, who carded 69, 67.